Gençlik Parkı (literally ''Youth Park'') is a public park in

Ankara Ankara ( , ; ), historically known as Ancyra and Angora, is the capital of Turkey. Located in the central part of Anatolia, the city has a population of 5.1 million in its urban center and over 5.7 million in Ankara Province, maki ...

Turkey Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolia, Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with ...

Geography

The park is almost at the center of Ankara. Its altitude is about , which makes it one of the lowest points in Ankara. It is surrounded by Ulus Square to the north, the

Ankara Opera House Ankara Opera House ( tr, Opera Sahnesi) of the Turkish State Opera and Ballet is the largest of the three venues for opera and ballet in Ankara, Turkey, the other two being ''Leyla Gencer Sahnesi'' in Ostim and ''Operet Sahnesi'' (Operetta Theater) ...

(formerly Ankara Exhibition Building) to the east, Selim Sırrı Tarcan Sport Hall and

Ankara Central Station Ankara railway station ( tr, Ankara Garı) is the main railway station in Ankara, Turkey, and is a major transportation hub within the city. The station is the eastern terminus of the Istanbul-Ankara railway corridor, as well as the easternmost ...

to the south and, 19 Mayıs Stadium to the west.

History

During the early years of the Turkish Republic, the place where the park is located was a marshland. After the marshes were drained, the park was established and opened to the public on 19 May 1943, the

National Youth Day National Youth Day is a holiday dedicated to the youths of a country. It is observed by 18 countries, on many dates throughout the year. The United Nations agreed on the date of 12 August in 1999 in South Africa. National Youth Day International ...

. There were coffee houses around the main pool, a swimming pool, a

luna park Luna Park is a name shared by dozens of currently operating and defunct amusement parks. They are named after, and partly based on, the first Luna Park, which opened in 1903 during the heyday of large Coney Island parks. Luna parks are small-s ...

, an open-air theatre and tracks. In 1957, two miniature trains were established within the park area as a part of the amusement attractions.

The park in the 2000s

After restoration and renovation works, there are now a cultural center, youths' center and Ankara Municipality Convention Hall as well as 43 kiosks in the park. During nights light performances are held in the main pool. Also a science museum is under construction.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Genclik Parki Parks in Ankara Urban public parks 1943 establishments in Turkey